A new industry organisation has been launched by leading classification societies and flag states to help the shipping industry overcome technical issues related to decarbonisation and digitalisation.

The founding members of the Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) are leading classification societies ClassNK, Lloyd’s Register, American Bureau of Shipping and DNV.

They are combining with several government maritime administrations such as the Norwegian Maritime Authority, UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Japan’s Ministry of Land Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

The idea behind MTF is to carry out technical and regulatory research on the technological challenges the shipping industry faces. The new organisation aims to support the industry and International Maritime Organization as they go through decarbonisation and digitalisation.

MTF plans to publish the results of its research and industry stakeholders will be invited to participate.

Speaking at the launch of MTF, ClassNK president Hiroaki Sakashita said: “We are already at a critical juncture and MTF will provide a valuable platform for information on a variety of projects. It can facilitate the implementation of projects with a view to establishing a solution.”

DNV chief executive Knut Orbeck Nilssen said that with the industry having to come to terms with new technology and fuels “it is evident that collaboration makes sense”.

A major objective of MTF will be to promote safety while the industry goes through technological change, Nilssen added.

LR chief executive Nick Brown said MTF hoped to “find answers to everyone’s benefit”. Brown said: “We recognise the increasing pace of change and scale of ambition brings risks and opportunities.”